RES160 – 261 – ADD RESOLUTION 160 (WRC-15) Facilitating access to broadband applications delivered by high-altitude platform stations The World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2015), considering a) that there is a need for greater broadband connectivity and telecommunication services in underserved communities and in rural and remote areas; b) that current technologies can be used for broadband applications delivered by base stations operating at high altitudes; c) that high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) are one possible means for providing fixed broadband connectivity that would enable wireless broadband deployment in remote areas, including mountainous, coastal and sandy desert areas; d) that HAPS using inter-HAPS links can provide broadband connectivity with minimal ground network infrastructure; e) that HAPS may also be used for disaster recovery communications; f) that some new entities are currently testing the delivery of broadband over lightweight, solar-powered aircraft and airships at an altitude of 20-50 kilometres for several months at a nominal fixed point relative to the ground below, recognizing a) that existing services and their applications shall be protected from HAPS applications, and no undue constraints shall be imposed on the future development of existing services by HAPS; b) that HAPS is defined in No. 1.66A of the Radio Regulations as a station located on an object at an altitude of 20-50 km and at a specified, nominal, fixed point relative to the Earth, and is subject to No. 4.23; c) that WRC-97 added a global identification for HAPS in the frequency bands 47.2-47.5 GHz and 47.9-48.2 GHz, that WRC-2000 agreed, because of concerns with rain fade in that frequency range, on a HAPS identification for the frequency band 27.9-28.2 GHz (fixed downlink), paired with the frequency band 31.0-31.3 GHz (fixed uplink), outside Region 2, and that at WRC-12 five countries joined footnote 5.457 for a HAPS designation in the fixed service for frequency bands 6 440-6 520 MHz (HAPS-to-ground) and 6 560-6 640 MHz (ground-to-HAPS); d) that WRC-2000 decided on additional spectrum identifications for HAPS links under No. 5.388A and No. 5.388B in some countries;